RESIDENTS and local authorities have been picking up the pieces after Storm Doris downed trees and damaged buildings across the region.

And as the clean-up began with crews out cutting up fallen trees for removal, the head of Worcestershire's highways department John Fraser said it was lucky no-one was hurt in the county during the storm.

Mr Fraser said: “It was very lucky no one was seriously hurt in Worcestershire.

“I want to thank all staff, and contractors for their work. There was also excellent cooperation between us, West

Mercia Police and Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service.”

At the height of the storm wind speeds reached 65mph in the county, damaging buildings, forcing roads to be closed for hours and leaving homes without power when live cables were brought down.

Among the incidents crews were called out to were a large tree that blocked a road in Colwall and two trees down in Malvern's Albert Road North.

And in Earls Croome, a 40-foot oak crashed into the roof of the village hall.

At the height of the storm, the fire service went out to 64 weather-related emergencies, many involving fallen

trees and dangerous structures.

Area commander Jon Pryce said: “Our crews and officers worked hard to ensure that our local communities were safe, and disruption was kept to a minimum.”

On Thursday evening, although the high winds had died away, travellers faced delays from train services that had been disrupted earlier in the day.

And the county council trading standards team has warned residents to be wary of doorstep callers offering to repair damage.

Cllr Lucy Hodgson said: “Rogue builders and repairers invariably move into areas following events like this and look to make money by ripping people off. They may lie about the extent of damage to property and about the repairs that are required. Work that they do then undertake is often poor quality and it may cost more to rectify the damage they do than a legitimate repair would have cost.

"Do not do business with anyone who appears at your door. If you think you might claim on your insurance, find out from your insurer what you need to do before you go ahead and get someone in.”